Trans-Miss Four Ball: 3 Eagles propel Kupchynsky, Richards

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (September 19, 2018) - Robert Kupchynsky and David Richards carded a best-ball score of nine-under-par, 63 to take the first round lead in the Mid-Am Division of the 38th Trans-Mississippi Four-Ball at Mayacama Golf Club. Kip Estep and Don Gafner lead the Senior Division by two over three teams. Albert Huddleston and Paul Simson took control of the Super-Senior Division with a six-under-par, 66.

Kupchynsky and Richards got their round off a great start with a birdie on the first, followed up with an eagle on the par-five second. On the fourth hole, another par five, the duo from Dallas, TX added another eagle. They were five-under-par having only played four holes. They hit their first snag on the tenth hole, but it was their lone blemish. They hold a one-shot lead thanks to their third eagle of the day on the par five, eighteenth.

The team sitting just one behind Kupchynsky and Richards are Creighton Honeck of Bee Cave, TX and Clint Frost of Robinson, TX. Honeck and Frost birdied nine holes throughout their round including five on the club’s backside, their front. The pair made their only bogey on the short but tricky seventh hole.

In third and two shots behind are Travis Peterson of Santa Rosa, CA and Domingo Jojola, Burlingame, CA. Peterson and Jojola were bogey-free throughout the round and made a total of seven birdies.

2017 Champions Josh Swanson and Riley Pumphrey struggled to find the magic that won them title last year as the pair from Austin, TX opened with a one-over-par, 73.

Kip Estep of Rockwall, TX and Don Gafner of Dallas, TX had seven total birdies throughout the first round and had five on the front nine. The pair made a bogey on the tenth hole but bounced back with an immediate birdie on the par three, eleventh. They made another birdie on the 13th but surrendered it right back on the 14th.

Trailing by two strokes in the Senior Division are three teams. Steven Hudson of Vestavia Hills, AL and Brad Kropp of Fort Worth, TX made five birdies in route to their three under par, 69. Tom Musselman and Paul Balatti made an eagle on the 18th hole to finish at three under. Wendell Williams and Fred Hoffman of Riverside, CA only made one bogey on the day for their three-under-par round.

In the Super Senior Division, Albert Huddleston of Carrollton, TX and Paul Simson of Raleigh, NC went bogey free during the first round which propelled them to a six-under-par round. Their round of 66 was highlighted by three straight birdies on holes two through four.

Sitting just two back is Roger Brown of Scottsdale, AZ and Bill Heldmar of Broken Arrow, OK. The team started their round on the backside of course and they made three birdies including on both par fives.

Mayacama Golf Club opened in 2001 and has already played host to several major national tournament. In 2010, the USGA Men’s State Team came to the scenic wine country and in 2017 the AJGA’s Wyndham Cup called Mayacama host. The Jack Nicklaus Signature sits roughly at 6,800 yards and will in lieu of power; competitors will be rewarded for their strategy and precision on the course. It will test the patience and mental fortitude of the field, but the course doesn’t unduly punish missed shots.